Good morning, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and happy holidays to all who celebrate. From my family to yours, we pray this is a joyful, healthy, and blessed time for you, your families, friends, and our neighbors.

Much of the talk in Washington this week focused on health care and the rising costs associated with failed Obamacare. I joined the “National Report” on Newsmax to discuss how House Republicans passed a plan to lower premiums by cutting costs, rooting out waste and fraud, and expanding choice. I believe in our plan — we must reduce costs rather than subsidize failure.

Additionally, we talked about Vice President JD Vance's recent visit to the Commonwealth, where he spoke about the real wins this administration is delivering for the American people, from cutting taxes to restoring energy dominance and improving quality of life. That progress is building real momentum across Pennsylvania. With that momentum comes growth. And as growth expands supply and strengthens competition, prices come down for families and businesses. Click here or below to watch.

In just over a week, President Trump and Vice President Vance were in the Commonwealth, highlighting the wins this administration is delivering for PA. Secretary Chris Wright is building on that momentum as he tours Three Mile Island (TMI) and discusses its reopening.

We have a clear plan to unleash Pennsylvania energy and restore American energy dominance. The resources, the workforce, and the infrastructure are already here.

That plan relies on an all-of-the-above-and-all-of-the-below approach: nuclear, natural gas, clean coal, and oil. Reliable Pennsylvania power will strengthen the grid, fuel growth, and bring energy costs down for families and businesses. I joined “Wake Up America” on Newsmax to discuss energy and much more. Click here or below to watch.

Later, I joined “Varney & Co.” on Fox Business to discuss Secretary Wright’s visit. He has emphasized the close connection between energy and innovation. As demand for AI, data centers, and advanced technology grows, so does the need for abundant, reliable electricity.

That growth creates real opportunity. By producing more energy and developing new sources, the U.S. can expand capacity, increase competition, and bring prices down over time. Click here or below to watch.

The White House knows that America's great energy revolution and making America affordable again starts in Pennsylvania.

This week, I participated in a discussion on one of the fastest-growing threats facing American families and businesses: fraud and scams.

I want to thank The Hill for hosting, Bank Policy Institute for sponsoring, Sylvan Lane for the excellent questions, and Congressman Bill Foster for a productive bipartisan conversation.

As Chairman of the Financial Services Committee Republicans Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, combating fraud is one of my priorities. That includes holding hearings, convening roundtables with government and private sector leaders, launching district-wide education efforts, and pushing for a more coordinated, whole-of-society response.

My remarks were focused on what industry, banks, social media, and telecom companies need to do and how the government can help. I highlighted my extensive work thus far on fraud & scams and the opportunity to preview what’s to come.

To watch the conversation, click here or below.

To read a detailed article about the event, please click here or below.

Reliable, affordable power is essential for families, manufacturers, and keeping America competitive on the global stage. Nuclear energy, alongside an all-of-the-above and all-of-the-below approach, strengthens our grid, lowers costs over time, and keeps good-paying jobs here in our great Commonwealth.

With Secretary Chris Wright's visit to TMI this week, the message is clear. Pennsylvania has the resources and the skilled workforce to lead the nation in energy production. To make that happen, we need common-sense, Pennsylvania-first energy policies that allow innovation and investment to move forward.

Click here or below to listen to my interview on WHP-580’s “RJ Harris Breakfast Show”!

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: President Trump's November inflation report crushes expectations with core inflation at 2.6% — the lowest it’s been since March 2021 when Biden took office.

What they are saying:

• CNBC: "A very good number."
• Economist Stephen Moore: "Amazing... This is good news for Wall Street, it's good news for Main Street... I got a big smile on my face right before Christmas with this number."
• CNN: "Clearly, this is another step in the right direction."
• Ken Rogoff, Harvard Professor of Economics: "I was surprised. It was a better number than anyone was expecting... it was positive news — there's no other way to spin it."

As President Trump said in his address this week, he will continue to put America First and deliver real results.

When I first came to Congress, one of my earliest conversations with Rep. Glenn Thompson was about getting whole milk back in our schools. It was common sense then, and it is common sense now.

The House has now passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, and it's headed to President Trump’s desk for signature into law.

This week, I spoke alongside colleagues from both sides of the aisle and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman about how this legislation prioritizes kids’ health, empowers families, enhances food security, and supports American and PA dairy farmers.

I joined my colleagues on the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Antisemitism in signing a letter to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the horrific antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration on December 14.

What should have been a moment of faith and community was met with hatred and violence. Antisemitism and hateful rhetoric have no place in this world. We stand with Australia’s Jewish community, the victims, their families, and all those impacted by this tragedy.

Our letter urges the Australian government to take immediate action to ensure Jewish citizens can live, worship, and gather safely, protected and valued in their own country.

Small and midsized banks that want to grow and serve their communities shouldn’t be penalized by arbitrary, outdated regulatory thresholds.

Earlier this week, I spoke in support of H.R. 6553, the TIER Act, introduced by Congressman Andy Barr, which updates asset thresholds that haven’t changed since 2010—even after more than 40% inflation and years of economic growth.

The TIER Act ensures bank regulation remains risk-based, predictable, and proportional, so healthy institutions aren’t forced into large-bank regulatory regimes simply because their balance sheets have grown with the economy. Click here or below to watch my remarks.

The housing shortage is a supply problem. The U.S. is short roughly 4.5 million homes, yet we’re only building about 1.4 million units a year. Every unnecessary federal delay and regulation drives costs higher.

At a Financial Services Committee Republicans markup, I spoke in support of Congressman French Hill, and  Congressman Mike Flood's Housing 21st Century Act. I stressed that housing accounts for nearly 20% of U.S. GDP, and every home built generates about $90,000 in economic activity. When the data is this clear, working together to find bipartisan ways to boost housing supply is critical to improving housing affordability. Click here or below to watch.

On Friday, I spent the afternoon celebrating the holiday season at the Northeast Leadership Fund Christmas party at Isabellas. Leaders from the business and political communities across the state gathered to reflect on the year’s accomplishments and enjoy the spirit of Christmas together.

May God continue to bless our nation. I look forward to seeing you soon,